Small Things

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I was busy today, on purpose...

I didn't sleep well last night, so I was determined to do as much physical work as I could, so I'll sleep tonight...

It was not much, just a bunch of small things, but for me, it was remarkable.

One thing I did that struck me: I pulled my sleeves up to do the dishes. Before, I was so weak that my husband had to pull them up for me, while I braced against him. I don't need to do that now...

I did a bunch of laundry, filled the ice trays, scoured a dirty pan...Like I said, not much. Before, in my pre-surgical days, I would have laughed at these as Accomplishments.

Not any more...


I am getting stronger, even when I don't realize it.

I thank all of you for your support as I pass through this challenging time...

[texanwitch]

1. Looks like you are getting better.

You can come over and wash my dishes anytime.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear texanwitch!

LOL!

Thanks, sweetie, but I can't drive yet!

[texanwitch]

3. You will be driving soon.

Just enjoy the down time.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. Yeah, I am enjoying it...

There's plenty to do around here, and more than one place for naps!

[texanwitch]

6. Nothing wrong with naps.

To think I didn't like them when I was a little kid.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. .

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Aw, thanks...

I'm glad you're still up...

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. not for much longer - busy day planting pepper seeds, writing, now listening to relaxation music!

been a nice day for a Monday....bring on Tuesday!

keep getting better!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Some days I stand still..........

Today was not one of those days!



I hope you have a great day tomorrow!

[applegrove]

10. I used to love that feeling or falling asleep after one has worked hard. Sleep tight.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. Thank you, my dear applegrove...

I love that feeling too, and I hope I get it tonight!

[snappyturtle]

12. Small things add up, don't they? When I'm having a down day I make a list of

small things. I do one. Pretty soon I tackle another, and another and fairly soon I feel much better.

Good to hear you're getting stronger!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. They really do, my dear snappyturtle!

That was exactly what I did today: a list of what I did. Although my list was mental...

It is a very good feeling!

Thank you......I'm glad to be getting stronger too...

[sheshe2]

14. You are a Woman...it is always in us to be strong.

Sweet that you could brace yourself against your husband for support.

You will be in no time.

Best to you, Peggy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. My dear sheshe2!

I always appreciate your wisdom!

Hey, me and my husband have been married for 47 years...if I can't lean on him after all that time, then there's a problem!

I sure hope you're right about this:

Thank you, sweetie...

[HeiressofBickworth]

16. Hey -- you had a major surgery!

Don't expect to bounce back right away. These things take time. Improvement will be bit-by-bit and you will have small successes to begin with and more notable successes down the track. The important thing is to keep on the track. You are always so positive and supportive of others, you deserve all the support that we can muster. You are so fortunate to have such a loyal partner to help you.
Take care.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. My dear HeiressofBickworth!

Of course you're right, and I just charge on ahead, ignoring this little fact, LOL!

And then my body grabs me, and points out some indisputable facts: I am no spring chicken, and recuperating from major surgery just does not happen overnight, no matter how much I want it to.

And I do want it!

This has been psychologically tough, as well as physically.

Thank you, and I am on track...

[MiddleFingerMom]

17. My Dear CaliforniaPeggy!!!

.
.
.
It's truly wonderful to hear that you had such a great day!!!
.
.
.
One of the benefits of living in a diminished state is that one starts to really
appreciate the smaller things that most of us may take for granted for years
or decades. That includes capabilities and the appreciation of those we regain
through treatment and therapy.
.
You may never compete in the Olympics, but I bet from now on (or at least
for quite a while), simply being ABLE to do the dishes (et al) will give you a
Gold Medal day.
.
When I'm outside, I simply have to look up. Tucson is surrounded by mountains
and the panoramic view of that has always been breathtaking for me. With my
COPD, the amount of breath taken is far greater percentage-wise, so the thrill
is accentuated all the more.
.

.
.
.
I highly recommend the documentary "Murderball" -- my co-best friend's, who
has used a wheelchair for decades, favorite film about disabilities). It's a film
about paraplegics who play full-contact rugby, competing in the Paralympic
Games. Great movie, but the BEST scene is in the Bonus Features in the Larry
King interview when he asks them if they would be NON-disabled if they had the
choice. Their answers are each of them amazing and totally credible and could
teach the rest of us a great deal about living with our own "disabilities".
.
.
.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. My dear MiddleFingerMom!

I look back at my healthier, more energetic years, and I marvel at the things I took for granted then. It never occurred to me that anything would ever be any different...

It's a sobering realization.

The movie sounds fascinating...great title too! Thanks for the recommendation.


Olympics? HA!


Thanks, sweetie...

[Denninmi]

20. Oh, that's so great.

One day at a time, and slowly things get better.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. Aw, thank you, my dear Denninmi...

I'm glad you stopped by...

[In_The_Wind]

21. small things can be wonderful blessings

Having your dear husband's support when you need it is not a small thing.
However, imo: having him there to lean on is truly a wonderful thing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. Yes, they can be wonderful blessings, my dear J...

My husband and I lean on each other.....right now, I'm doing most of that, but there are times when he leans on me...

He is so important. I would be lost without him!

too!

[LeftofObama]

22. Today it's doing laundry, filling ice trays, and scouring a pan.

Tomorrow you'll be filling in for Skittles in an ass kicking contest!

Glad to hear you're doing better!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. My dear LeftofObama!

Not sure I'll ever be the ass-kicker that Skittles is, LOL!

Thanks for your good thoughts, sweetie...

[csziggy]

26. The little things can make such a difference

A couple of weeks ago when visiting my parents, I walked around their yard with my Mom. Doesn't sound like much, but a year when visiting, I could not make it all the way around. It was pitiful, that I could not keep up with my 90 year old mother!

This year my new knees let me walk with her and not even feel tired afterwards. Such a little thing but who knows how many more walks I will get with Mom? I want to be able to enjoy each and every one and now I can again.

I'm glad you are getting stronger!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

27. My dear csziggy!

Yes, the little things can really make such a difference...

My physical therapist was astonished today to see me pronating my right wrist. I hadn't realized I was doing it.......last week when she was here, I hadn't been.

I am so encouraged!

Thank you sweetie...

[AsahinaKimi]

28. be Well Peggy-san

Hyaku yokunatte kudasai, Odaijini! get well soon, take care of your self!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

29. Thank you so much, my dear Kimi!

Believe me, nobody wants me to get well more than I do!

I am progressing.....and taking care of myself!